Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Digital publication fights CRA finding that it does not produce 'original news'

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Jul, 2023 12:37 PM
  • Digital publication fights CRA finding that it does not produce 'original news'

A digital publication is asking the Federal Court to review a decision by the Canada Revenue Agency that prevents it from accessing incentives for journalism.

The Academic Journalism Society, which runs The Conversation Canada, is seeking a judicial review of the agency's decision after an advisory board found it did not engage in the production of original news content.

In a court filing submitted last week, the publication rejects the agency's conclusion that it's not a qualified Canadian journalism organization — a designation that allows it to claim a journalism tax credit. 

"We were just a bit surprised," said Scott White, The Conversation Canada's CEO and editor in chief.

"We actually thought it should have been a bit of a no-brainer."

The Academic Journalism Society said its authors conduct firsthand reporting through independent research. 

The claim said The Conversation's authors are academics who collaborate with editors to provide evidence-based explanatory journalism on news and current affairs. 

"The expertise of academia and journalism is combined into explanatory journalism and expert analysis," White said. 

"'Knowledge mobilization' is what academics call it, to get the academic expertise out into the general public to help people have more informed opinions."

Lawyers representing the Academic Journalism Society declined to comment because the matter is before the courts. 

The Canada Revenue Agency didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The federal government has yet to file its defence.

The Academic Journalism Society first applied for the "qualified Canadian journalism organization" designation in December 2020, but was denied in March 2022 by the Independent Advisory Board on Eligibility for Journalism Tax Measures. 

As part of its findings, the board said "there was little evidence that the applicant engaged in independent journalism or that it reported on current events."

It's a claim the digital publication disagreed with, and it now wants Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier to quash the agency's decision.

The CRA confirmed that the applicant otherwise satisfied all other requirements for the journalism designation contained in the act, the claim said. 

The applicant asked the CRA to reconsider in May and it provided more information "in support of its position it engages in the production of original news content."

The CRA concluded its position in June, while the publication seeks a review of the final decision. 

 

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. launches $20M flood mitigation fund for the Fraser Valley

B.C. launches $20M flood mitigation fund for the Fraser Valley
A statement from the Agriculture Ministry says the funding will be used for community-scale projects that protect and restore local ecosystems and wetlands, such as culvert improvements, embankment stabilization and crop diversification.

B.C. launches $20M flood mitigation fund for the Fraser Valley

Search for missing submersible near Titanic wreck site a race against time

Search for missing submersible near Titanic wreck site a race against time
The search, in an area about 700 kilometres south of St. John’s, N.L., is in a race against time because the 6.4-metre vessel had a 96-hour oxygen supply when it submerged on Sunday morning, according to an adviser for owner OceanGate Expeditions.

Search for missing submersible near Titanic wreck site a race against time

4 fined $17K for fisheries violations

4 fined $17K for fisheries violations
A Victoria provincial court judge found the violations happened off Galiano Island in May of last year when officers checked a nearly seven-metre vessel, discovering a cache of hidden rock fish -- including three Yelloweye rock fish, which are illegal to retain.  

4 fined $17K for fisheries violations

2 hurt in Prince George home invasion

2 hurt in Prince George home invasion
R-C-M-P say it happened just after eight last night in a home in the city's Quinson neighbourhood, northwest of the downtown core. Investigators haven't said how many people might have been involved in the attack or how they were called to the home.

2 hurt in Prince George home invasion

Dr.Theresa Tam says to protect health amidst wildfires

Dr.Theresa Tam says to protect health amidst wildfires
Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam says the smoke from the fires contains microscopic particles that pose significant risk to both humans and animals. The particles can cause asthma attacks, compound breathing problems for people with C-O-P-D, and potentially lead to bronchitis and pneumonia.

Dr.Theresa Tam says to protect health amidst wildfires

Canada's oil output would plummet by 2050 in a net-zero world, new modelling shows

Canada's oil output would plummet by 2050 in a net-zero world, new modelling shows
The regulator says if emissions regulations successfully limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, fossil fuel use will drop by 65 per cent from 2021 to 2050. That would prompt a collapse in global oil prices, to as low as US$35 per barrel by 2030 and US$24 per barrel by 2050.

Canada's oil output would plummet by 2050 in a net-zero world, new modelling shows